A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Afeez Bolaji Repete, on Wednesday, called for calmness amid fears that the wife of the immediate past governor of Oyo State, Florence Ajimobi , is planning to hijack the party structure in the state, saying “there is no truth in the alleged plan”.
The outgoing Deputy National Youth leader of the party, also warned rumour-mongers and political desperados against dragging the name of the former first lady into the ‘internal conflict’ as gladiators tussle for Oyo APC chairmanship seat.
According to him, the widow of late Governor of Oyo state has no preferred gubernatorial candidate, adding that “she is not supporting any aspirant. Anyone that emerges will be supported by Mrs. Ajimobi”.
Repete, maintained that Ajimobi has made ardent strides in uniting the party and in keeping her late husband’s legacy.
The Oyo APC chieftain, in a statement, made available to newsmen in Ibadan, said, “the Oonirisa, Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi recently stated “once a First Lady always a First Lady”. He was referring to none other than the Matriarch, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi who since her husband’s demise has held the fort in progressive politics.
“Mrs. Ajimobi has been in attendance at various conferences. She has been awarded recently by the National Ministry of Health for her Outstanding Role in Cancer Prevention and Control. She has been up and doing, ensuring the sorrow does not take the best of her. She has made ardent strides in uniting the APC and in keeping her husband’s legacy
“Recently, she visited the former Governors of Oyo State, Governor Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja and Governor Alao-Akala. The reason for her visit is to foster peace and love. It has however been misunderstood by some people and misinterpreted to mean she wants to force an interest on the APC chairmanship.
“In a release circulating round, Mrs. Ajimobi is being accused of trying to sell the candidature of a State Chairman for the APC.
It continued, “Mrs. Ajimobi is well loved by all the party leaders and members because of her humility and empowerment of people especially women when she was the state First Lady. As against the rumors, she is not interested in becoming Leader but she is concerned about the preservation of her husband’s legacy.
She is perfectly keeping the legacy of her husband alive through SAAF (Senator Abiola Ajimobi Foundation).
“Associates of her late husband and majority of the party members believe in her human relations and in her ability to unite the party. She can unite all groups and set the party towards victory in the 2023 elections. She is interested in doing this and not in causing any crisis or forcing any candidates on the people.
“Mrs. Ajimobi has no preferred gubernatorial candidate and she is not supporting any aspirant. Anyone that emerges will be supported by Mrs. Ajimobi.
“At this juncture, when we are trying to heal the wound in our party, I appeal to the political bandits to stop dragging her name. We all need her support in 2023.
“We all need to come together as one and through party democracy, choose our leadership. We will also choose our candidates and go to the polls as one United and formidable party in 2023”, the statement concluded.
